Written by Andrew Dykstra
Everyone sees the people who take care of our messes, clean up after lunch, and set up tables. The sad truth is that most cannot even name them.
The man who cleans up your lunch trays is named Rich Kline. He has been working here for 4 years as a custodian. While it seems thankless, Kline loves his job.
“I think I’m really happy here because it’s rewarding because you get to see how you could’ve made different choices back then from a little different perspective,” Kline said.
Aside from his job here, Kline cares most about his family.
Kline met his wife through his sister-in-law, at her wedding rehearsal. He refers to their relationship as a fairy tale story.
“She walked in and I said to my brother, ‘She’s the one,’” Kline said.
Engaged 9 months later, they have been happily married for fifteen years.
He does not currently have kids of his own, but he hopes to one day be a parent. For now, he enjoys working with students at the high school.
Having graduated in 1995, and working in the building since 2014, Kline has seen many changes even beyond a new building and different staff. He has watched students grow up and become adults.
“Being here on days for almost three years, I’ve seen some of the sophomores graduate,” Kline said.
However, even though he does relish working here, he wishes one thing would change.
“Every year I think: I wish incoming freshman would be a little more respectful,” Kline said.
Our custodians may not be noticed by many, and they may be passed by without a second thought. But people like Rich Kline who care about keeping our school clean remain the unsung heroes of our time.
“You get a student walk by that says, ‘Hey, thank you for cleaning up after us every day,’ and little do they know, that means a lot,” Kline said.